High Heel Shoe or Boot Ankle Support

ABSTRACT

In one example, we describe a method and system for supporting the sides of the ankle, tight, with a solid hard material, like hard plastic, and making the foot and ankle to act together as one piece, to make the foot more stable and comfortable. Or, we can do this as an add-on for a shoe, later on, to insert as an extra, for the same function. Or, we can do it for any types of shoes. Different structures and components or variations are also discussed.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is related to the provisional application 62/361,598, filed Jul. 13, 2016, with the same inventor and assignee. We are claiming priority to that application. We have incorporated by reference herein all the teachings of that application.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

High heel shoes cause many accidents and injuries for consumers every year. For example, due to instability, people may twist or break their ankles. So, there is a need for a solution to fix this problem or reduce the chance of injuries as much as possible.

Some examples of the prior art are:

Ser. No. 14/155,549: athletic shoe with ankle support, with flexible band around the ankle. But it is not much of a support.

20100299960: Fairy Jane, the suspender for stilettos: strap holds the foot inside the shoe, but not much support.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,411,077: ankle support with high bracing strength, but not much support.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,674,023: previously known example of this: U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,237,319; 3,834,377; 4,821,743; 5,175,947; but not much support.

US200301177663A1: shoe with integrated ankle support, but not much support.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,109,613: shoe with integrated ankle support, addition to shoe, but not much support.

SN 2014/0090273 or U.S. Pat. No. 8,468,721, but not much support.

Thus, none of the prior art is a proper and complete solution. Here, we present a proper and reliable ankle support for high heel shoes or boots, with many variations and examples. The invention and embodiments described here, below, have not been addressed or presented in any prior art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one example, we describe a method and system for supporting the sides of the ankle, tight, with a solid hard material, like hard plastic, and making the foot and ankle to act together as one piece, to make the foot more stable and comfortable. Or, we can do this as an add-on for a shoe, later on, to insert as an extra, for the same function. Or, we can do it for any types of shoes. Different structures and components are also discussed. Other variations are shown, as well.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of the invention for high heel boot or shoe.

FIG. 2 shows an embodiment of the invention for high heel boot or shoe.

FIG. 3 shows an embodiment of the invention for high heel boot or shoe.

FIG. 4 shows an embodiment of the invention for high heel boot or shoe.

FIG. 5 shows an embodiment of the invention for high heel boot or shoe.

FIG. 6 shows an embodiment of the invention for high heel boot or shoe, for structure.

FIG. 7 shows an embodiment of the invention for the components, to cause stability and reduce injury.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

It is hard to balance a high heel shoe, when there is no ankle support, and the steps become shaky and wobbly. The foot slides down the slope of high heel shoe and puts pressure to the toes, which may cause damage to the toe area or ankle area, e.g., twisting or deformation, which may need surgery later on. If we provide support to the ankles then we can have a more balanced and stable foot. By supporting the sides of the ankle and making the foot and ankle to act together as one piece, we can make the foot more stable and comfortable.

This can be part of the shoe as an integral part, or alternatively, as an addition, as removeable piece, which can be removed or put in another shoe or interchangeable or be washed separately, for cleaning purposes.

In one embodiment, this means enclosing the ankle with a solid hard material, e.g., lard plastic, rigid plastic, metal, wood, carbon fiber, reinforced polymer, reinforced plastic, carbon-fiber—reinforced thermoplastic (CFRP, CRP, CFRTP), plastic, polymer, elastic material with enough resistance, a strong and light fiber-reinforced plastic which contains carbon fibers, alloy, synthetic or natural materials, or the like.

In another embodiment, this is done by multiple pieces attached together covering a larger area or surface, or alternatively, by compressed powder or sand-like material, contained in a soft or hard shell or jacket from all sides, to become flexible to the shape of each person's foot, for maximum comfort and flexibility or range of usage for many people or different shapes/sizes of foot.

In another embodiment, the same general shape is made using different length and width, for various people/feet. In another embodiment, the device is hard material. In another embodiment, the device is soft material. In another embodiment, the device is transparent, painted, decorated, translucent, opaque, see-through, or with-holes material. In another embodiment, the shell is hard material. In another embodiment, the shell is soft material.

In another embodiment, the shell is elastic, rubber, flexible, petrochemical, natural, artificial, animal/plant material (e.g., cow hide, suede, leather, wool, silk, or cotton), PVC, metal, alloy, stone, wooden, woven, interlaced, knit, or plastic material, or combination of any or all of the above. In another embodiment, the shell is in layers, stacked on top of each other, or compressed or glued together, or attached to each other or other layers by any types of screw or nail or connector.

In another embodiment, the shell or device is pieced together like a jig-saw puzzle or LEGO type or brick form or style or basis unit, which can be locked or attached together using tongue and groove, or extensions/bars-holes, or hand-into-glove format. In another embodiment, the shell or device is attached together by its pieces, using VELCRO or any types of fastener or hook and loop, chain, string, cable, rope, or connector or hook or zipper or buckle or lock or glue or magnet or band or lace.

In another embodiment, the lace or band or zipper is for adjusting the device to the foot size or for putting the foot into/out of the device/shoe/boot, for convenience or ease of use, or for keeping the device fit to the foot tightly, so that it does not come off easily during walking unintentionally.

In one embodiment, this is for support and providing lining for comfort/shock absorbent, or soft materials, inside or outside or both, plus some latches to hold the ankle tight. This stops the ankle from twisting and can be achieved by making the shoe and the ankle work together as one solid piece. In one embodiment, this support is not something added to the shoe or foot, but it is an integral part of the structure of the shoe.

Or, the ankle support can be added to unstable shoes by anchoring it to the heel (and tie it with latches to the shoes). Enclosing the ankle tight in the ankle support prevents the foot from sliding down the high heel shoes and relieves the pressure to the toes (which causes deformation on toes and foot for a long term use, causing pain and major medical problems, requiring surgery).

FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of the invention for high heel boot or shoe. FIG. 2 shows an embodiment of the invention for high heel boot or shoe. FIG. 3 shows an embodiment of the invention for high heel boot or shoe. FIG. 4 shows an embodiment of the invention for high heel boot or shoe. FIG. 5 shows an embodiment of the invention for high heel boot or shoe. FIG. 6 shows an embodiment of the invention for high heel boot or shoe, for structure. FIG. 7 shows an embodiment of the invention for the components, to cause stability and reduce injury.

The drawings show some examples/embodiments for the invention, from Appendix 1: Appendix 1 page 1 is a shoe with support shown. Appendix 1 page 2 shows a foot and body, as well as the structure around the foot. Appendix 1 page 3 shows the drawing of the shoe with the ankle support, with the lining and adjustable latches. Appendix 1 page 4 shows variations of Appendix 1 page 3. Appendix 1 page 5 shows the structure of the support for another embodiment. Appendix 1 page 6 shows high heel support area of the ankle, with variations/different embodiments. Appendix 1 page 7 shows other variations of Appendix 1 page 6. Appendix 1 page 8 shows another variation of Appendix 1 page 6. Appendix 1 page 9 shows structures and functions for the support device, with various elements.

The drawings show some examples/embodiments for the invention, from Appendix 2: Appendix 2 page 1 shows a structure for support for a high-heel shoe. Appendix 2 page 2 shows a decorative part of shoe of Appendix 2 page 1. Appendix 2 page 3 shows a variation of shoe of Appendix 2 page 1. Appendix 2 page 4 shows an inside structure of a shoe or device/system of the invention. Appendix 2 page 5 shows details of structure of an apparatus/system of the invention. Appendix 2 page 6 shows details of structure of an apparatus/system of the invention. Appendix 2 page 7 shows details of structure of an apparatus/system of the invention.

The drawings show some examples/embodiments for the invention, from Appendix 3: Appendix 3 page 1 shows a structure for support for a shoe, with respect to the foot and the shape of the foot/ bone structure.

In one embodiment, we have enclosing the ankle of the high heel shoe or boot with a solid hard material, like hard plastic, for controlling horizontal ankle movement and directing the weight to the heel and the palm of the foot. In one embodiment, we have the ankle support which can be added to the high heel shoe by anchoring the support to the heel and enclosing the shoe inside the support with the latches.

This also covers all kinds of ankle support not only for high heel shoes, but also for regular shoes, even athletic shoes, to balance and to protect from bad landing and injury, for regular or sports use.

The support can be solid sheet, or cage shape with holes or stripes or cross-hatched, or it can be smooth shape, or corrugated shape for higher strength. Or, it can have multiple layers on top of each other, or just one sheet or layer. It can have dimples and small extensions on the surface, or smooth surface, as variations. It can have melted together or by adhesive or glue or screw together or by tie or string or chain connected together as one unit. It can have one or more materials for each layer, per layer or layers. It can have pieces on a surface connected like tongue and groove, inserted into each other, for jigsaw puzzle shape or structure, for flexibility or curvature, as examples.

In one embodiment, we have solid or hard or flexible or rigid materials, as multiple pieces or one piece, e.g., plastic, rubber, metal, carbon fiber, fiber glass, metal mesh, asphalt pieces, wood fiber, cotton fiber twisted, or the like. In one embodiment, we have horizontal or vertical or both support, as insert, or as a shell or multiple shells or one body/device or smaller pieces attached together, or the like. In one embodiment, we have diagonal pieces and supports or rigid pieces, with respect to ground or leg or foot, with 15, 30, 45, 60, 75, 85, or similar degrees tilted or angle.

The shell or jacket or the device can be inside, outside, included, or part of the shoe, in which case it can be non-separable or separable or detachable or exchangeable, for various embodiments or usages or examples or applications.

Any variations of the above teaching are also intended to be covered by this patent application. Any combinations or additions of the above teaching are also covered here. 

1. A shoe, boot, or footwear, said shoe, boot, or footwear comprising: a sole; a heel; a top cover or cap; and an ankle support.
 2. The shoe, boot, or footwear, as recited in claim 1, said shoe, boot, or footwear comprises: a buckle.
 3. The shoe, boot, or footwear, as recited in claim 1, said shoe, boot, or footwear comprises: a zipper.
 4. The shoe, boot, or footwear, as recited in claim 1, said shoe, boot, or footwear comprises: a lace.
 5. The shoe, boot, or footwear, as recited in claim 1, said shoe, boot, or footwear comprises: a band.
 6. The shoe, boot, or footwear, as recited in claim 1, said shoe, boot, or footwear comprises: a chain.
 7. The shoe, boot, or footwear, as recited in claim 1, wherein said shoe, boot, or footwear is high-heel.
 8. The shoe, boot, or footwear, as recited in claim 1, said ankle support comprises: a buckle.
 9. The shoe, boot, or footwear, as recited in claim 1, said ankle support comprises: a zipper.
 10. The shoe, boot, or footwear, as recited in claim 1, said ankle support comprises: a lace.
 11. The shoe, boot, or footwear, as recited in claim 1, said ankle support comprises: a band.
 12. The shoe, boot, or footwear, as recited in claim 1, said ankle support comprises: a chain.
 13. The shoe, boot, or footwear, as recited in claim 1, said ankle support comprises: at least one pocket.
 14. The shoe, boot, or footwear, as recited in claim 1, said ankle support is only one piece.
 15. The shoe, boot, or footwear, as recited in claim 1, said ankle support comprises multiple pieces.
 16. The shoe, boot, or footwear, as recited in claim 1, said ankle support is flexible in one direction.
 17. The shoe, boot, or footwear, as recited in claim 1, said ankle support is flexible in multiple directions.
 18. The shoe, boot, or footwear, as recited in claim 1, said ankle support is rigid.
 19. The shoe, boot, or footwear, as recited in claim 1, said ankle support is positioned horizontally or vertically.
 20. The shoe, boot, or footwear, as recited in claim 1, said ankle support is positioned diagonally, at an angle with respect to horizontal plane, vertical plane, or ground. 